What is the next term in the sequence 2, 4, 6, 8?

The next term in the sequence 2, 4, 6, 8 is 10.

This sequence is an example of an arithmetic sequence, where each term increases by a constant amount. In this case, the common difference is 2. To find the next term, you simply add the common difference to the last term in the sequence. So, 8 + 2 equals 10.

Arithmetic sequences are a fundamental concept in GCSE Maths. They follow a simple rule: each term is the previous term plus a fixed number, known as the common difference. For the sequence 2, 4, 6, 8, the common difference is 2. This means that to find any term in the sequence, you can start with the first term and keep adding 2.

Understanding arithmetic sequences helps in various areas of maths, including algebra and problem-solving. For example, if you know the first term and the common difference, you can find any term in the sequence using the formula: \( a_n = a_1 + (n-1)d \), where \( a_n \) is the nth term, \( a_1 \) is the first term, and \( d \) is the common difference. For our sequence, \( a_1 \) is 2 and \( d \) is 2. So, the 5th term would be \( 2 + (5-1) \times 2 = 10 \).

By mastering arithmetic sequences, you can tackle more complex mathematical problems with confidence.